Train-of-four measuring clip

Abstract

A monitoring apparatus includes a clip assembly configured to be secured on a patient's digit. The clip assembly houses an accelerometer which measures acceleration in three dimensions. A microcontroller is configured to receive acceleration data from the accelerometer representative of the acceleration measured in each of the three dimensions. A processor is configured to analyze the acceleration data and determine and output a train-of-four ratio based the acceleration measured in each of the three dimensions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A monitoring apparatus comprising:
 a clip assembly configured to be secured on a patient's digit, the clip assembly housing an accelerometer which measures acceleration in three dimensions;   a microcontroller configured to receive acceleration data from the accelerometer representative of the acceleration measured in each of the three dimensions; and   a processor configured to analyze the acceleration data and determine and output a train-of-four ratio based the acceleration measured in each of the three dimensions.   
     
     
         2 . The monitoring apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the microcontroller is configured to filter out unwanted frequencies. 
     
     
         3 . The monitoring apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the microcontroller is configured to digitize the acceleration data. 
     
     
         4 . The monitoring apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the processor is integral with the microprocessor. 
     
     
         5 . The monitoring apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the processor is part of a computing device independent of the microcontroller. 
     
     
         6 . The monitoring apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the determined train-of-four ratio is output to and displayed on a display. 
     
     
         7 . The monitoring apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein the display is selected from one of a monitor, computer screen, tablet and smartphone. 
     
     
         8 . The monitoring apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein the processor communicates with the display via a wireless transmission. 
     
     
         9 . The monitoring apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein the processor communicates with the display via a two-way wired or wireless transmission. 
     
     
         10 . The monitoring apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein the display is a screen integral with the clip assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The monitoring apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the processor is configured to compare the measured acceleration data with a baseline value for each of the three dimensions. 
     
     
         12 . The monitoring apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the processor is configured to determine a root mean square composite baseline based on the baseline value for each of the three dimensions. 
     
     
         13 . The monitoring apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the processor is configured to determine a root mean square composite of the measured acceleration data from the three dimensions and determine a digit twitch has occurred when the composite of the measured acceleration is at a peak compared to the composite baseline. 
     
     
         14 . The monitoring apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the clip assembly includes opposed shell members which define a digit opening therebetween and which are biased toward one another to secure the assembly upon a digit positioned within the digit opening. 
     
     
         15 . The monitoring apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the processor is configured to continuously determine and output the train-of-four ratio independent of any nerve block stimulation to the patient. 
     
     
         16 . A method of monitoring the train-of-four ratio of a patient comprising the steps of:
 monitoring acceleration of a digit of the patient utiling an accelerometer which measures acceleration in three dimensions;   transmitting acceleration data from the accelerometer representative of the acceleration monitored in each of the three dimensions:   processing the acceleration data;   determining a train-of-four ratio based the acceleration measured in each of the three dimensions; and   outputting the determined train-of-four ratio on a display.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of to filtering out unwanted frequencies. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the step of processing the acceleration data includes determining a root mean square composite baseline based on a baseline value for each of the three dimensions and determining a root mean square composite of the monitored acceleration data from the three dimensions. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18  wherein step of determining a train-of-four ratio includes determining that a digit twitch has occurred when the composite of the measured acceleration is at a peak compared to the composite baseline. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein the acceleration is continuously monitored and the train-of-four ratio is determined and output independent of any nerve block stimulation to the patient.